1986 535i as a first car

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Dorytheblue
Posts: 18
Joined: Sep 09, 2023 5:15 PM
Location: Calgary

1986 535i as a first car

Post by Dorytheblue »

This is my 1986 535i auto, I bought her just over a year ago after she sat in someone’s yard for 8 years. Rescued her and have been slowly fixing as I go. So far I have replaced the gas tank as the one that came with was rusted right out around the neck. I also put e34 front brakes on and then had to bleed the whole system and ended up doing a full flush..lol I learned a lot through that. Then all the basic maintenance since it had been siting for so long. I did unfortunately find out when I went to register the car that it’s a rebuilt status… I was not told that when I bought the car, it’s not the end of the world. But because of that the one side of the car was repainted and they did a poor job at repainting and the clear is pealing pretty bad. Plus it’s a Canadian car… so unfortunately there is rust. Not falling apart but the rockers are rusted and same with the bottom rod the fenders.I have also picked up a manual trans getrag 265 out of a 1982 528e, that I plan on swapping in once I can sell or trade the bell housing I have now.For the m30 Motronic bell housing but that seems a bit hard to find. The interior is in pretty good shape, no rips in the leather seats or stains. Image
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This is her current day right now. She’s named Dory after finding dory as she’s blue and when I first bought her she often forgot how to work.
When I found her she was siting in the back of someone’s property with 2 vws in front.
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First wash after 8 years and finally in her new home
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Last edited by Dorytheblue on Sep 18, 2023 9:16 PM, edited 2 times in total.
1st 5er
Posts: 21852
Joined: Jun 13, 2008 12:15 AM
Location: Cypress
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Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by 1st 5er »

Welcome and Enjoy the Ride. :cool:
turbodan
Posts: 9213
Joined: Jan 09, 2007 10:19 PM

Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by turbodan »

Congrats, these are great cars. I got my first e28 a little over 20 years ago. Used to ride around in one when I was a child, it was the first car I can remember. They are unique, pleasant to drive and easy to work on. Reliability is very good, though the quality of replacement parts isn't what it used to be. We are still getting by though, it can be done.

The 535 isn't very good on gas, hopefully that's not a big factor for you. The 528 does a lot better on fuel but doesn't bring a lot of horsepower to the table. Both are enjoyable to drive and neither is fast by any modern standards.
Mike W.
Posts: 27193
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by Mike W. »

Welcome to the group! But especially since you posted in Eye Candy, we want Pictures! OK, yeah, it's slightly involved as they have to be hosted elsewhere. CEK did a nice writeup on it here, viewtopic.php?f=1&t=147488
Dorytheblue
Posts: 18
Joined: Sep 09, 2023 5:15 PM
Location: Calgary

Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by Dorytheblue »

turbodan wrote: Sep 16, 2023 12:47 PM Congrats, these are great cars. I got my first e28 a little over 20 years ago. Used to ride around in one when I was a child, it was the first car I can remember. They are unique, pleasant to drive and easy to work on. Reliability is very good, though the quality of replacement parts isn't what it used to be. We are still getting by though, it can be done.

The 535 isn't very good on gas, hopefully that's not a big factor for you. The 528 does a lot better on fuel but doesn't bring a lot of horsepower to the table. Both are enjoyable to drive and neither is fast by any modern standards.

It’s very far from being good on gas, fortunately I live in the city and every thing is close but I definitely think of it as more smiles per litre. When I was much younger my dad had a few e12s then sold them and we had a black 535i manual. That’s what got me in to having this one.
Canuck YYC
Posts: 332
Joined: Oct 06, 2008 10:03 PM
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by Canuck YYC »

Looking forward to those pics!
Dorytheblue
Posts: 18
Joined: Sep 09, 2023 5:15 PM
Location: Calgary

Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by Dorytheblue »

Mike W. wrote: Sep 17, 2023 11:50 PM Welcome to the group! But especially since you posted in Eye Candy, we want Pictures! OK, yeah, it's slightly involved as they have to be hosted elsewhere. CEK did a nice writeup on it here, viewtopic.php?f=1&t=147488
Thank you for you help! I was able to add all the photos that I wanted.
Machtig
Posts: 267
Joined: May 14, 2009 10:44 AM
Location: Kingsland, GA

Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by Machtig »

Looks really nice! Love the color.
f2892704-SCAM
Posts: 12
Joined: Jul 26, 2023 7:25 PM
Location: Bakersfiled, CA

Re: 1986 535i as a first car

Post by f2892704-SCAM »

Congrats!
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